I'm a 6 year veteran burner newly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as of last year. This will be my first year traveling with my disease. I'm wondering if there are any other burner with crohn's or colitis who can offer me some advice or moral support. I'm fairly under control with my meds but am wondering if there is anyone out there in the same situation.
I'm particularly worried about exodus as those who have it know, we don't really travel well in the car for long periods of time.

Sincerely, Goose

Happiness is like a butterfly,
the more you chase it, the more it will elude you,
but if your turn your mind to other things,
it softly comes and sits on your shoulder.

Congratulations on your colitis! I suffered with it for years until i had a colostomy. It is a miserable, painful and embarrassing condition and you have my sympathy and understanding. You biggest potential problem on the playa will be staying hydrated. As an experienced burner you should know the routine and be aware that is more important for those with colitis.

As for Exodus we are trying something new, as cars leave the city they will be placed in lots, and shall remain there until sent their way down the (hopefully faster) road. I will check with my manager about portos in the pulse lots.

Potties in the pulse lots would be so wonderful! That would ease my mind so much. Please do let someone know that it would be a big deal if they could do that!
Thanks for the congratulations. It's so nice to hear there are other people out there struggling with the same things. I'm sending you a big hug. I don't feel so scared and alone now.

Doctors disagree on whether I've got colitis, a spastic colon, or nothing, so if I'm not in the same boat, I'm somewhere near it.

Exodus sucks pretty bad, and Louise and I have gotten out of it by volunteering for it. We guard one of the gates on that Monday, and we have our own portapotty there. When we leave on Tuesday, it's smooth sailing all the way. You might consider that as a way around the long line.

The new tactic for Exodus is called pulsing, and it looks like Playa Foot is going to check on potties for you. They'll stage cars for exit, so people don't sit there idling. It's the first year, so I have no idea what the details are. If they've got portapotties lined up for the staging area, you're good to go!

Yeah, you put everyone in lots. Then the guy with the green flag comes over and whirls the flag in a tight circle in a "Gentlemen, start your engines" kind of way. Then once everyone is started up, he stands next to the exit of the lot and drops the flag. From that point on it's everyone for themselves.

I have Crohn's and this will be my first year. I am going to make sure to bring some Ensure drinks (chocolate tastes the best) in case of having an upset tummy and needing to get nutrients. And they come in plastic bottles. The other worry will be hydration as Playa Foot mentioned. Maybe some Tummy Tea for if you feel upset. I hope you do okay, I have had Crohn's for 15 years.

Thank you thank you THANK YOU to Blue Cross! I was dx'd with Interstitial Cystitis this year, so in a flare it could mean running to the pot every 20 to 30 minutes. You'll definitely have my company at the exodus johns, Goose.

Tummy tea can be different blends of tea for different brands. But it will contain things that are soothing to an upset tummy like mint, ginger, fennel (licorice), etc. Another easy thing are chewable papaya tablets, they are good to take with food to help digestion.

robbidobbs wrote:USS did a fantastic job of placing Exodus potties this year! Please show them some luvin next year for their work. They truly get it.

yup and to reiterate: Blue Cross and Kristy, along with many others, made the call, and listens........he and his team with exodus care, a lot, and meet constantly to try to improve things.......and are on 24 hours for the final days of the event, keeping it as smooth as possible........I see it and hear it, in my duties, know, it's true.

welcome to the club! I have crohn's and I noticed while out on the playa i really had no problems with it (thank god!) BUT the night of the burn we were sitting down waiting for the man to go up about 4 rows back from the rope and it started acting up. One of the most painful bouts i have ever had. I sat there and delt with it cause as being my first burn i sure the hell was not going to miss this and the portas where a ways away so i was sure if i went i would not make it back in time to see it go up.

maybe it is the playa but i think it acts up less out there. im not totally sure.

maladroit- Burning Man is like a second job, except you pay to work there.Burning Man is just the pre party for exodus! - fellow burner during exodus